Published
By Ashley Cox
At Crescent Purchasing Consortium, 'Giving Back' is not only the name of our charity initiative, but an ethos that runs throughout the business, with a host of our departments embarking on summer volunteering days.
After a successful first visit in the summer of 2023, CPC’s extended Communications, Engagement and IT team made its return to Ladybarn Park in suburban south Manchester during the month of July. Their mission? To help support this spawling community park’s devoted volunteers with its general upkeep, thus giving back to the area.
Located in the shadow of Mauldeth Road railway station, music fans might be interested to learn that Ladybarn Park is a short walk from Sifters, the long-standing independent record shop referenced on Oasis’ summer 1994 single ‘Shakermaker’ (as featured on the seminal album, ‘Definitely Maybe’, which turns 30 years old, this month).
Heading off around the park at supersonic speed, the CPC volunteers may have expected some cigarettes and alcohol on their litter collection rounds, but were impressed at the state of this natural oasis, which services the communities of Ladybarn, Burnage and Withington. It was a testament to the local residents who give up their time to keep Ladybarn Park looking its best and CPC was proud to support their work for the second successive summer, with staff tackling garden, weeding and creosoting, before continuing their team day in the city centre.
The same week, CPC's Contracting team made their volunteering destination the Manchester and Cheshire Dogs' Home, where they met and helped with a host of new four-legged friends, on a day that was thoroughly enjoyed.
Split into two groups upon arrival, half of our Contracting colleagues spent their summer morning walking dogs listed for adoption. Meanwhile, the other half spent time playing with former strays who were new to the dogs' home itself, in a valiant attempt to drain their batteries! In the afternoon, the two groups switched their roles.
Ultimately, our CPC staff enjoyed a great day at the dogs' home, building team togetherness and morale and leaving with smiles on their faces; albeit, perhaps unsurprisingly, covered in dog hair and smelling of wet dog!
Meanwhile, the CPC Business Services team spent time supporting the Salford homeless charity Two Brews, whose important community work includes the provision of nightly pop-up 'brew stations' in Manchester city centre, with hot food and drinks on offer to the area's less fortunate. The charity also invites anyone in need of them to fill up bags with donated clothes, something Business Services were able to assist with on their visit earlier this summer.
Sorting the various soft clothes and footwear into a number of large storage boxes, our CPC colleagues employed excellent communication and teamworking skills to help ensure the altruistic Two Brews crew were well-prepared for their next city centre excursion; helping them support needy people on Manchester's streets, that same night.
A valued experience to play a small part in assisting the local community, the positivity and care by shown the Two Brews team made an impact at CPC, with opportunities to donate and/or volunteer in support of the cause via the organisation's website. CPC employees meanwhile have expressed gratitude to the Group Leadership Team (GLT) for their help in making these volunteering days a reality, resulting in some memorable and rewarding occasions.